However, all psychological problems have some physical manifestations, and all physical illnesses have psychological components as well.

In fact, the chemical imbalances that occur during depression usually disappear when you complete therapy for depression, without taking any medications to correct the imbalance.

This suggests that the imbalance is the body's physical response to psychological depression, rather than the other way around.

Some types of depression do seem to run in families, suggesting a biological vulnerability. This seems to be the case with bipolar depression and, to a lesser degree, severe major depression.

Studies of families, in which members of each generation develop bipolar disorder, found that those with bipolar disorder have a somewhat different genetic makeup than those who are not diagnosed.

However, the reverse is not true. Not everybody with the genetic makeup that causes this vulnerability to bipolar disorder develops the disorder.

Additional factors, such as stress and other psychological factors, are involved in its onset as well.

Likewise, major depression also seems to occur, generation after generation, in some families, but not with a frequency that suggests clear biological causes. Additionally, it also occurs in people who have no family history of depression.

So, while there may be some biological factors that contribute to depression, the indicators are that it is primarily a psychological disorder.

PSYCHOLOGICALA variety of psychological factors appear to play a role in vulnerability to these severe forms of depression.

Most likely, psychological factors are completely responsible for other forms of mild and moderate depression, especially reactive depression.

During treatment, Reactive depression is usually diagnosed as an adjustment disorder.

People who have low self-esteem, who consistently view themselves and the world with pessimism, or who are readily overwhelmed by stress are more prone to depression.

SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT (Learned Behaviour)Psychologists often describe social learning factors as being significant in the development of depression, as well as other psychological problems.

People learn both adaptive and maladaptive ways of managing stress and responding to life problems within their family, educational, social and work environments.

These environmental factors influence psychological development, and the way people try to resolve problems when they occur.

Social learning factors also explain why psychological problems appear to occur more often in family members, from generation to generation.

If a child grows up in a pessimistic environment, in which discouragement is common and encouragement is rare, that child will develop a vulnerability to depression as well.

A serious loss, chronic illness, relationship problems, work stress, family crisis, financial setback, or any unwelcome life change can trigger a depressive episode.

OTHER (1): INDECISION

One frequently overlooked cause or factor is related to the psychological one: it is when a person is faced with having to make a decision, or choice between two or more things/people - and not liking either of the choices. It is when they avoid the choice or defer it, that the problem arises - for some reason, human emotional-mental functions do not handle indecision well - especially if on a prolonged basis - and the condition we know as depression often results.

Hopelessness (having given up, or lost, hope.

Also, certain events & holidays, such as Christmas can bring on a temporary depression. So will bereavement and loss.

OTHER (2): ANGERIt is widely recognized that some forms of depression are actually anger that is "masked" or suppressed.

CONCLUSION (this section on depression)Very often, a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors are involved in the development of depressive disorders, as well as other psychological problems.

When you feel "depressed", and don't know where to turn, talk to someone who can help - see your doctor - and get a referral to a psychologist or coach/counsellor.

To continue for the more detailed and expanded page,including the signs and symptoms, click/tap the icon > > >

If you feel you are suffering from Depression - or Anxiety - contact your healthcare provider, please.

Depression: Uni-Polar Disorder and Chaos an introduction

Depression

While it quite common, Depression is somewhat of an enigma at the same time.

It can be a result of a neuro-chemical problem, as a result of an illness, or some other rogue biological imbalance, which has negatively affected the body's chemistry.And if that's the case, there are medications that can help; as can taking a Vitamin D3 supplement, Omega-6 supplement, and getting out in the sunshine, or using a special lamp that simulates the sun.

Other More Common CausesBut at other times, which are more common and likely:

it can also be a reaction to something, things like: stress, events, and circumstances, as well as environments in people's lives.

But there is another important one, one that is often overlooked -or not mentioned- because it isn't generally considered by many health-care providers.That "hidden" cause is, indecision. Indecision resulting from being faced with actually knowing what you are reacting to, and knowing what you can do about it, BUT, there are two options you need to choose between, and you don't like either one. And consequently you hover between them, without making a decision or choice.

It could be that they contradict your values, morals, ethics, etc., OR because of more mundane, but important reasons, you are unable to do so, perhaps for financial reasons, or whatever (which would result in feeling trapped). That inability to choose, whilst knowing what the right choice to make is, creates an inner dis-balance, and our minds do not handle that well; it creates what is called cognitive dissonance. See below.

Two other sources often involved as root causes for depression are; suppressed Guilt, and Fear.

Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort (psychological stress) experienced by a person who simultaneously faced with having to hold two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values. Cognitive dissonance is the resulting consequence of having to chose between performing two actions that contradict personal beliefs, ideals, and values; it also occurs when confronted with new information that contradicts those beliefs, ideals, and values. It is also known as being in a Double Bind situation: where a person is confronted with two irreconcilable demands or a choice between two undesirable courses of action.

In case you do not have time to follow the link, here's a brief outline of the Double Bind:

Originally, the double bind referred to a no-win kind of communication that Gregory Bateson and his colleagues believed was a contributing factor in schizophrenia. One example of double bind communication is a mother giving her child the message: "Be spontaneous." If the child acts spontaneously, he is not acting spontaneously because heis following his mother's direction.

It's a no-win situation for the child. If a child is subjected to this kind of communicationover a long period of time, it's easy to see how he could become confused.

A Zen story is a good illustration of the double bind and also of a unique solution. A Zen master says to his pupils: "If you say this stick is real, I will beat you. If you say this stick is not real, I will beat you. If you say nothing, I will beat you."There seems to be no way out.One pupil, however, found a solution by changing the level of communication. He walked up to the teacher, grabbed the stick, and broke it.

The double bind is applicable to many of the situations and mental/emotional dis-ease, not only Zen teachings.

To continue to the details of Depression,click/tap the icon at the right

A Summary of the above(before going on to a comprehensive description of Depressionon a separate page)

Generally, the suggestion is that depression is a medical illness - some bio-neuro-chemical problem, without psychological causes (psychological, as in internal responses to external events and circumstances).